If Moreau’s injury isn’t serious, look for him to skate with Cogliano and Gagner, and then Stortini will move down with Brule and Nilsson.

You could see Nilsson and Moreau swap during the game depending on how the game is going. You saw Quinn move Nilsson back with Cogliano and Gagner in the second period when the game became more of a free-wheeling style. If the game is tight, he won’t play them together all the time but has no problem moving Moreau and Nilsson around.

These lines aren’t set in stone, because of the injuries, but they give a pretty good picture of what the opening day roster could look like.

On the blueline, the pairings aren’t set. Quinn said there are lots of discussions still happening amongst the coaches on who will play where.

Today was the most relaxed practice I’d see so far. Quinn had lots of drills focusing on offence and skill. In fact at the end of practice, Hemsky, Gilbert and Penner had to skate three laps as punishment for spraying the goalies with snow. It was not a hard skate, but more of a joke amongst the players.

Quinn also said, “I shouldn’t speculate but I think cuts will occur on Monday.” So we will see how it plays out.

To me Brennan, Reddox, Eberle, Schremp, Chorney and Dubnyk are obvious cuts. That would leave two more forwards to get cut, of course Peckham and Rajala will be re-assigned once they are healthy as well.

These four lines look like the opening game lines to me.
One big guy on every line.
I like ‘em.
Cogliano’s on the wing — that’s good.

I still expect Moreau to be there instead of Stone, but until we find out how serious, if any, his injury is then Stone might stick. I still think he is a long shot to stick. I'm not sure he skates well enough to play in the NHL. The past two games he didn't show me much at all.

Agreed Cogliano on wing is good, especially because Quinn admitted that the wingers will have a bit more freedom to cheat, but only if they are certain the Oilers have possession. If Cogliano reads the play well, his speed could lend to a few extra odd man rushes or at least quick and easy breakouts.

It does make a certain sense if Quinn really does plan to role his lines. Unfortunately, it leaves Horcoff as the only viable L hand choice for defensive draws, and one of Pouliot/Brule in the same spot for R hand defensive zone draws, but there isn't much Quinn can do about that.

If Quinn wants to run power-vs.-power to afford the rest of his lines some shelter, why not swap Penner and Jacques? The Comrie/O'Sullivan combination seemed to do well with Stone, and Jacques is a better player.

The other thing worth remembering is that when MacT ran Smyth – Horcoff – Winchester, he alternated other players into Winchester's spot from time-to-time; if Quinn plans to keep Jacques there, I imagine that exactly the same thing will happen.

penner should be on first line if the real penner would please stand up.

if all the 3rd year guys showup and horc gets 65+points then apart from faceoffs
we should be pretty good.
lets not forget we were in the playoffs with ten games to go and now better goalie? better coach?
8 place is ours

I still expect Moreau to be there instead of Stone, but until we find out how serious, if any, his injury is then Stone might stick. I still think he is a long shot to stick. I’m not sure he skates well enough to play in the NHL. The past two games he didn’t show me much at all.

Man, I thought Stone was pretty good last night. He was skating and hitting a lot. Isn't that just what the Oilers need?

Well Hemmer will definetly be asking for a trade at the end of the year if hes playing with JFJ on the top line…

I predict Hemksy will be irritated if JFJ gets in his way as he circles the net in offensive end 6 times before turning the puck over. Maybe JFJ will be the one asking for the trade. Sorry but for me, Hemsky has alot to prove this year after his comments last spring just before the playoff dogfight down the stretch imploded. Mini rant done.

Not many people want an enforcer on their top line… NYR being the only exception but at least Avery has some skill…
Plus I thought we were going to have 3 scoring lines, wont be doing much scoring with matchups like that IMO (Other then line 2 and 3 when Nilssons there)

Avery is far from an enforcer. He is a pest, not an enforcer.

And it wasn't the Jacques fight, it was how Regehr was hit and pressured constantly from Jacques, which has rarely happened in the past. Regehr won't fight regularly, so Jacques will have to consistently physical rather than just fighting.

Nothing the Oilers do will ever stop Regehr from being physical, but if Jacques can diminish the hits Hemsky takes then he's doing his job.